In a cooling market, some sellers get ahead of the curve and ask a lower price than expected. That was the case here. This was a very solid home with charming cottage-style allure at the dead end of a small laneway. Positioned on an over-sized lot for maximum privacy, the home is ringed with mature gardens and flanked by a bluestone terrace with an in-ground swimming pool and spa. All this is tucked in an excellent location on Mercer Island.

Despite the Thanksgiving timing of the listing, the rare offering and low asking price ($1,850,000) resulted in three offers within the first few days on the market. Thinking and moving quickly with our buyer while carefully cultivating the listing agent, we put together an offer package that beat out the competition and secured the home at a price many area brokers still felt was below market value. Our buyer paid $1,900,000. The fair value range of the home was $1.9M - $2.1M.

The listing company's marketing remarks:

Welcome home to a grand cottage in the Library neighborhood! Private setting allows easy entertainment indoors & out with the gourmet kitchen, formal dining room, living room with double sided fireplace shared with the family room opening out to the patio veranda, heated outdoor pool & hot tub. 2009 remodel from the foundation up features naturally light-filled rooms with hardwood floors, vaulted ceilings, French doors, built-ins, primary suite with walk-in closet, second bedroom with deck, movie theater, and bonus office/hobby/workout room. Central AC, gas forced air heating and gas-fired tankless hot water make this a very comfortable home year-round. Gardner’s delight with established grounds & potting room/shop in third bay off garage.